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Bronx, New York
The Williamsbridge Club held its 21st annual Founder's Day Luncheon May 16,1998 at Maestro Caterer's Bronx,NY. As stated by our Northeast District Governor, Conna M. Cook "Our National Theme, "Revering Tradition and Looking Toward New Horizons: Black Women's Hands Can Rock The World" summarizes our reasons for taking time out on an annual basis to honor those stalwart women who in the midst of a depression had the singlemindness and courage to believe they could make a difference." The Williamsbridge Club was proud to recognized the endeavors and achievements of the following persons: Sojourner Truth Awardee--Margaret Campbell Mrs. Campbell is active in her church and community. She holds the positions of Most Ancient Matron of Sarah Court Order of Eastern Star and Deaconess of Walker Memorial Baptist Church. Margaret was one of the founding members of the East Bronx section of National Council of Negro Women when she continues to exemplify the tradition of the founder, Mary McCloud Bethune. Mrs. Campbell was a volunteer for the now defunct Lafayette-Morrison Nursery School. In 1990 in collabaration with Sarah Swindell, the Lafayette-Morrison Seniors Center was founded. Margaret became Director of the Center in 1992. The word in the community became "If you want a tasty, home-cooked meal with soul and lots of love thrown in, Lafayette-Morrison Seniors Center was the place to be". Margaret plans and prepares meals, trips, birtday parties, and extensive activities as the Director of the Program. The Williamsbridge Club bestowed upon Margaret Campbell our most prestigious honor, The Sojourner Truth Award for her compassion for the welfare of hmankind. Man of the Year--Frank Hennessy Mr. Hennessy, an advocate of public education, has served thirty years as an educator in the NYC public school system. Currently, he serves as Assistant Principal at C.E.S. 73 in the Bronx. Being in charge of mathematics, he experienced the growth of scores above national norms and C.E.S. 73 was awarded Chapter One Achievement Award from Chancellor Rudy Crew's office in 1991. Frank's interest in seeing children achieve academically and enjoying a competitive sport led him to help organize one of the largest scholastic chess programs in the country. He serves as District Nine's Chess Coordinator and coaches C.E.S. 73's team, The Bronx, Bishops, after school. His students have visted tournaments in several cities in the U.S.A. Frank has a passion for several sports. One of them, swimming, won him three gold medals for Masters Swimming in the Empire State Games in NY in 1992. Professional Awardee--"Teacher of the Year"--Carol Frank Barreto Mrs. Barreto received her BA in Sociology from Buffalo University. Carol accepted a job in NY working with handicapped adults. Her strong desire to teach others gave her the idea to pursue a career in education. She took a teaching position at PS 62 in the South Bronx. Her love and dedication led her to successfully help students improve reading and math scores in a school with a reputation for achieving low scores on standardized tests. While teaching, Carol attended Lehman College and received a Masters of Science Degree in Education. She has been teaching at PS 62 for 12 years and continues to display enthusiasm and a zest for teaching. Her goal is to continue teaching, but her dream is to eventually open her own school. Business Awardee--Frazell Benjamin Mrs. Benjamin and her husband established Visions for Less located 4365 White Plains Road, Bronx, NY in 1993. She attended NYC Technical College for one year and then went onto Goodwill Optical where she pursued a course in Ophthalmic Dispensing. She is now a certified and licensed optometrist. The Benjamins plan to open another optical business in the near future. Frazell is a wife, mother and business woman who balances her schedule successfully. Special Appreciation Awardee--Barbara Purdy-Guess Mrs. Purdy-Guess has an outstanding record of service in the N.A.N.B.P.W.Clubs, Inc.. She became a member of the Williambridge Club in 1997, having been a former member of the Bronx Club. She is blessed with many extraordinary talents and attributes and she uses them well. Barbara has been a loyal B&P member, participating in any and all club endeavors and willing to assist in any project asked of her. She always strives for excellence in each venture and is meticulous about her work product. Community Service Awardee--Elsie Adams Within the Bronxdale Housing Projects, Mrs. Adams was a very concerned, attentive, caring and involved person. She became captain of the Tenants' Patrol, worked with children, became member of Bronxdale Home Attendants Board, and very active in her parish, Church of Atonement. After relocating to a Seniors' Citizen Complex in the North Bronx, she continued to provide community service by becoming Supervisor of the Tenants Patrol and providing service to homebound seniors by running errands and assisting them with other chores as needed. Community Service Awardee--Charles Rosa Mr. Rosa is Director of Seven Corners Day Care Center on Soundview Avenue in the Bronx. He is a member of Community Planning Board 9-Education committee, member District 8 Early Childhood Coordinating Committee, Vice President of PTA 1199, School for Social Change and Youth and Parks Committees, Green Thumb Community Gardener--Soundview Gardens Plaza, Marine Corp, Toys for TOTS Committee member Ft. Schuyler, Bronx. Mr. Rosa's extensive experience as an effective community leader has made him a prominent "change agent". Senior Citizens Awardee--Jacqueline J. Kane Mrs. Kane was NYS representative to President's White House Conference on the Aged, Washington, DC, May, 1995. Mrs. Kane and her husband have traveled extensively throughout the US and to several continents. Because South Africans of color were still not free at time of their visit, they made presentations and set up exhibits in churches, public schools, libraries, and on college campuses. They lectured on the plight of Black people and the importance of supporting all efforts to free them and on the conditions of the Aborigines in Australia. The Kanes have three publications as a result of these trips.
Scholarship Awardee--Keithea Baker Miss Baker resides in the Bronx and attends A. Phillip Randolph Campus High School. In a class of 247 seniors, Keithia ranks seventh, with an average of 90.65. She is a member of the National ARISTA and participated in College Awarness Symbolizes Hope Program. Keithea is on the Year Book Committee, Treasurer of the Student Organization, and member of the Rights of Passage Collective. She is also Mentor to Junior High School students, and was in the Pre-Engineering Program. At the Harlem YMCA, Keithea serves as Teen Event Coordinator, on the SISTAS Only Step Team and Co-Captain Cheer Leading Squad. She is President and soloist in the Youth Gospel Choir at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Bronx. Keithea is pursuing a career in Communication, with concentration in film production, advertising, public relation and journalism. She is preparing herself for the challenges of the 21st Century. Scholarship Awardee--Janease Clarke Miss Clarke attends Theodore Roosevelt High School in the Bronx and maintains a B+ average in all subjects. She has been on the Principal's Honor Roll numerous times; severs as Vice Prident of Student Body Council; member Theodore Roosevelt High School Honor League, and currently mentor to students in both French and Science. She is an active member of the Youth Choir at Bronxwood International Church of God. Janease dreams of becoming a doctor, specializing in Pediatrics. She wants to become a doctor because it distubs her to know there are still so many people suffering from lack of quality medical care. With her strong determination and encouragement from her parents, she will certainly realize her gal...by the year 2006, Janease Clarke,M.D. Contact us at: |